Management of coastal lakes to minimise invasion. The European shore crab has the potential to undermine the productivity of Australia's estuaries and devastate our shellfish industries, worth over $50 million p.a. This project will provide estuarine managers with the data urgently needed to prevent spread of this pest species. In doing so, it will help to ensure the future prosperity of our seafood industries and the sustainability of our unique coastal biodiversity. The outcomes of this projec ....Management of coastal lakes to minimise invasion. The European shore crab has the potential to undermine the productivity of Australia's estuaries and devastate our shellfish industries, worth over $50 million p.a. This project will provide estuarine managers with the data urgently needed to prevent spread of this pest species. In doing so, it will help to ensure the future prosperity of our seafood industries and the sustainability of our unique coastal biodiversity. The outcomes of this project will be applicable to the management of many of the > 200 introduced marine species already present within our coastal waters. Importantly, the project will also contribute to research training in new techniques to protect Australia from future pest invasions.Read moreRead less
Ecological impacts of QX Oyster disease and its management strategies. QX disease is responsible for mass mortality of oysters, and, as a result, economic and job losses. QX disease also threatens ecosystem services provided by wild oysters, such as biodiversity enhancement and fish production. This project will provide estuarine managers with information about how proposed QX management solutions will impact wild oyster populations and vital ecosystem services. It will also contribute to traini ....Ecological impacts of QX Oyster disease and its management strategies. QX disease is responsible for mass mortality of oysters, and, as a result, economic and job losses. QX disease also threatens ecosystem services provided by wild oysters, such as biodiversity enhancement and fish production. This project will provide estuarine managers with information about how proposed QX management solutions will impact wild oyster populations and vital ecosystem services. It will also contribute to training of early career researchers in strategies to ensure the sustainable use of Australia's biodiversity. As QX outbreaks appear to be increasing, this research and training is urgently needed to underpin management to ensure long-term sustainability of valuable estuarine resources.Read moreRead less
Biotechnology and epidemiology to control nodavirus in barramundi aquaculture. Production of farmed barramundi has increased more than 1200% in the NT since 2001 but is threatened by nodavirus infection. Three industry partners, Darwin Aquaculture Centre, Marine Harvest and Berrimah Veterinary Laboratory will collaborate with The University of Sydney to:
1. control nodavirus infection
2. develop new technologies to detect nodavirus using immunoassay and surface enhanced laser desorption ionis ....Biotechnology and epidemiology to control nodavirus in barramundi aquaculture. Production of farmed barramundi has increased more than 1200% in the NT since 2001 but is threatened by nodavirus infection. Three industry partners, Darwin Aquaculture Centre, Marine Harvest and Berrimah Veterinary Laboratory will collaborate with The University of Sydney to:
1. control nodavirus infection
2. develop new technologies to detect nodavirus using immunoassay and surface enhanced laser desorption ionisation mass spectroscopy (SELDI)
3. develop an integrated disease control strategy based on epidemiological survey data, and ensure that it is practical and able to be widely adopted
By this means growth targets for barramundi aquaculture in northern Australia will be achieved.
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QX DISEASE RESISTANCE IN SYDNEY ROCK OYSTERS. QX is a fatal disease of Sydney rock oysters. The protozoan parasite that causes QX has been identified in more than one third of oyster farming areas on the east coast of Australia. Disease outbreaks have already destroyed the oyster industry in some of those areas. This project tests whether a novel form of defensive protein that has been identified in some oysters can be used as a genetic marker of QX disease resistance. The selective breeding of ....QX DISEASE RESISTANCE IN SYDNEY ROCK OYSTERS. QX is a fatal disease of Sydney rock oysters. The protozoan parasite that causes QX has been identified in more than one third of oyster farming areas on the east coast of Australia. Disease outbreaks have already destroyed the oyster industry in some of those areas. This project tests whether a novel form of defensive protein that has been identified in some oysters can be used as a genetic marker of QX disease resistance. The selective breeding of disease resistant oysters based on such a genetic marker would help to control QX and secure the future of Australia's rock oyster industry.Read moreRead less